MVC clerk acquitted of charges in fake licenses case

TRENTON — A jury today acquitted a state clerk of all charges that he sold drivers license renewals to illegal aliens after security rules were tightened due to 9/11.

Burly Darnell Brickers, who has been protesting his innocence since his arrest in February 2005, choked back tears as he hugged and thanked his lawyer, Robin Lord, when the last of the 12 not guilty verdicts were announced.

Brickers stood trial on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct and tampering with public records. He was looking at 20 years in prison if convicted of helping illegal immigrants bypass new security checks and get renewed licenses to drive in 2004 and 2005.

Authorities alleged that Brickers worked with outsiders who collected up to $3,000 from undocumented people who already had New Jersey licenses, but needed to pass a new six-way security check to get them renewed.

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In her closing argument, Deputy Attorney General Louise Lester told the jury surveillance videos of Brickers at work in the state Motor Vehicle Commission office in Trenton showed certain customers getting signed up, with new pictures, by presenting folders holding their old cards.

Lord countered with complaints of holes in the state case, including the possibility Brickers was mistaken for another husky African American clerk at the MVC office behind City Hall.

Bricker’s sister told The Trentonian the suspect wasn’t able to find work in the years since he was busted. He’ll sue for back pay and more, she said.

The case against Brickers, and the lesser figures also charged with him in the alleged conspiracy, was an effort by the state to thwart crooked clerks as a matter of national security.

After Sept. 11, 2001, America came to believe suicide terror leader Mohamed Atta was carrying a New Jersey’s driver license that fateful day. But a MVC spokeswoman said that’s a myth: Atta had a Florida license.

State prosecutors did send a security message, however, with their convictions of the lesser figures in the conspiracy, including the arrangers of the deals and the illegals who paid big bucks to stay in the United States.

About the Author

Paul Mickle is a reporter for The Trentonian and a past editor of the newspaper. He is best known for his 16 years of work as a crime reporter and has won several journalism awards. Reach the author at pmickle@trentonian.com
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